Headlines - 28.04.2014

Jahjaga: Region should follow Kosovo’s example (Epoka e Re)

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, stated in an interview for this daily that the decision of the Assembly of Kosovo to establish the special court, should serve as an example for the other countries of the region. She added that cooperation with international justice is the only way to remain loyal to the values that Kosovo is being built upon. She said that this court should not be considered as an effort to blot the liberation war’s record. According to her, if the issue of the court had been passed to the UN Security Council, it would have represented a serious blow for Kosovo.

Defendants will be known next year (Tribuna)

Citing unnamed sources, the paper reports on the front page that indictments from investigations into Dick Marty’s allegations could be made early next year. US prosecutor Clint Williamson will conclude his investigations in the second half of June and will then reveal the nature of crimes. “The nature of the crimes is expected to be the disappearing of several civilians. Allegations of organ trafficking will be ruled out,” a foreign diplomat told the paper. Details of the indictments however will be known only after the establishment of the special court, which is expected to be ready in early 2015. Foreign diplomats, who preferred to remain anonymous, also told the paper that although the names of defendants are not known, the Kosovo public will have more information about the outcome of the investigations before the summer break.

Krasniqi: Judicial system has failed (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi stated on Sunday that establishment of the special court will not have a good impact on the image of Kosovo. According to him, with this court, the real crimes committed in Kosovo by Serbia will be forgotten. Krasniqi criticized the manner in which the political spectrum and institutions treated the establishment of this court. “First of all, there should have been a much wider discussion and debate among the politicians and institutions in Kosovo. This issue should have been deeply analyzed in order to show the situation of the judiciary and the entire justice system in Kosovo,” said Krasniqi, adding that the international factor is also to be blamed because it has had a very important role in the justice system in Kosovo for so many years.

Thaci wants compromise, Mustafa wants date of elections (Tribuna)

The paper reports on page two that PDK leader Hashim Thaci and LDK leader Isa Mustafa are expected to have two different agendas in today’s meeting of political leaders. Thaci will try to reach a compromise between majority and minority parties whereby reserved seats for minorities would be extended in exchange for their votes in favor of the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces. Meanwhile, according to sources in the LDK, Isa Mustafa’s only request at the meeting will be about the date of parliamentary elections.

Minority requests to be met in exchange for voting for Armed Forces (Koha)

In a front-page report, the paper notes that the government keeps insisting that the current assembly should vote on constitutional amendments for the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces. According to the government, this would help avoid complications in the next assembly where the Serbian List is expected to be the leading Serb political force. Government officials denied there is an agreement whereby MPs would vote on the Kosovo Armed Forces in connection with the extension of reserved seats for minority communities. Minorities however are conditioning the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces with their requests for extended seats. Meanwhile, representatives of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the biggest opposition party, which until now rejected the request of minority communities, said on Sunday that they would review their position if there is an initiative from the government. “In principle, we are against the extension of reserved seats, but we will see what proposals the government will make. If we see that Kosovo will benefit from such a decision, we will certainly support it. We will discuss this in the party and in the parliamentary group and then we will announce our position,” LDK MP Haki Demolli told the paper. The paper also notes that leaders of political parties are expected to meet on Monday and find a compromise on the matter.

Serb MPs block establishment of Armed Forces (Zeri)

Serb MPs are the only ones conditioning the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces with extended reserved seats for minority communities. This marks the first division among minority communities which were so far united in their conditioning of the Kosovo Armed Forces.  Labor and Social Welfare Minister Nenad Rasic told the paper: “I am skeptical that someone can persuade MPs that voting in favor of the Kosovo Armed Forces would benefit their communities or to convince them to participate in the Assembly session that will vote on constitutional amendments for the Kosovo Armed Forces. This means we would go back to point zero... I was never against the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces. In the government, we voted in favor of the initiative to establish the Kosovo Armed Forces, but we also said that our requests still stand. We believe there should be coordination between the majority parties on reserved seats. Leaders of majority parties should have met and coordinated on the matter, but as far as I can see there is no readiness for compromise and this takes us back to point zero.” Mahir Yagcilar, Minister for Public Administration, from the Kosovo Turkish minority, said he is against the conditioning of the Kosovo Armed Forces with reserved seats for minority communities. “We support the establishment of the Kosovo Armed Forces, but reserved seats should in no way be connected to this. We think that the president, the prime minister and opposition leaders should communicate with their MPs and decide and act in accordance with the interests of the state,” Yagcilar was quoted as saying.

Çitaku: Negotiations for SAA conclude on 2 May (Epoka e Re)

Minister for European Integration Vlora Çitaku said that the negotiations for the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the European Union will conclude on 2 May. “SAA negotiations are concluding according to the agenda agreed with the Council of Europe. The third and the last negotiating meeting will be held on 2 May in Pristina and together with the European Union, we will mark the conclusion of SAA negotiations,” said Çitaku. Kosovo officially started negotiations in October of last year.